Monday, November 26, 2012

My daughter is totally awesome. Can't you tell? Cool glasses. Huge purple headband. She's definitely got her own style, and it's awesome. An awesome girl needs an awesome book, right? Not just any awesome book but a book of Totally Awesome Super-Cool Bible Stories.

This book might typically appeal to boys more than girls with its Diary of a Wimpy Kid style. However, my girl isn't typical, and she loves it. With stories told by "Nerdy Ned" combined with entertaining illustrations and interesting titles (And Then There Was Broccoli), it's sure to draw kids in. There's also several blank pages throughout for kids to draw their own illustrations to the stories. My 8 year old daughter has spent every night this week reading these Bible devotions, and I've loved hearing her recant the stories to me in the morning. I give this book two thumbs up for drawing my girl in, making her want to read, and giving her knowledge of Bible stories!

Giveaway

I have one copy of Totally Awesome Super-Cool Bible Stories to give away courtesy of Tommy Nelson. This devotion book geared toward kids aged 6-10 and would make a perfect Christmas gift! Giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only and ends December 3rd at 9 pm CST when random number generator will choose one winner.

Entries

1st Entry Because this book is chock full of blank pages for drawing, answer this question, "Do you keep every piece of art/craft your child creates in Sunday School?" Honestly, I don't. Only the special ones make it to the keep pile!

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. Also, be sure I have a way to contact you should you win.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of Totally Awesome Super-Cool Bible Stories from Tommy Nelson in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.Comments are now closed. The winner is Kerry @ Made For Real.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

WORD! As in the Word of God. As a parent who loves Jesus, my desire is for my kids to regularly read the Bible and be transformed by it. It's also important to me that they have a Bible and translation that they enjoy reading and can understand. Tommy Nelson has a new Heavens Bible that features images from the Hubble Space Telescope and text on God's handiwork in the universe. It's the International Children's Bible which is the first translation from the original Hebrew and Greek prepared specifically for children. My boy is really digging it right now.

Giveaway

Want to win the Heavens Bible geared for children aged 7-11? I have one copy to give away courtesy of Tommy Nelson. Giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only and ends November 27th at 9 pm CST when random number generator will choose one winner.

Entries

1st Entry Answer this question, "How you do you talk about Science and Creation with your kids?"

2nd Entry Tweet and/or share on Facebook the following...

WORD! Enter a #giveaway for the new Heavens Bible from @TommyNelson via @jenprice77! http://bit.ly/Te6MiH

Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry. Also, be sure I have a way to contact you should you win.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of the Heavens Bible from Tommy Nelson in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.Comments are now closed. The winner is #1, Lindsey V!

Monday, November 19, 2012

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful weekend! Man, the weather was amazing. I did a photo shoot in the Dallas Arts District. I think it's my new favorite place for photo shoots. Seriously. Check out the scenes (family not included...yet)...

Also, check out my new do. Ah, it feels so good to have all that hair off my neck.

So Dallas area friends, if you still need family portraits done before the holidays, email me (I guarantee a 48 hour turnaround)! Not only will we shoot at a cool, hip place, but you'll get a photographer with a new cool, hip style to go with it. :)

Friday, November 16, 2012

Well, we arrived to Texas late, late Wednesday night. It's always good to come back to your state of birth. However, if I'm totally honest here, my brain is in a fog. We've been on the road for 38 days now, and y'all I'm tired. Apparently Jeremy told me something the other night, and I even responded to him. I don't even remember the conversation. The fog is thick.

But journey is oh, so right.

I posted all of our fun adventures we had through England and Ireland. Our days were filled with outings to some incredible places. Joshua's favorite was The British Museum and Emma G's the castle in Arundel. They've had experiences that are etched in their brains, and I love that. However, those were just bonuses to the real reason we spent almost 4 weeks there.

We went, because it was right, and God totally had His hand on our itinerary.

We shared in churches and small gatherings about the beautiful kids in Africa. We told the stories of HOPE around the world through my photography. Jeremy brought the house down as he used his incredible talent and sang to packed rooms. I can't tell you how many times people said to us that we just happened to be there during one of their monthly or quarterly meetings. You just have to smile and say, "Thank You, Jesus."

Thank You, Jesus...for the hearts you moved to compassion for the orphan.Thank You, Jesus...for the opportunity to share our talents. Thank You, Jesus...for the strength to carry on.

I carry on, because it's right, but y'all I need prayers for grace in the midst of physical exhaustion. To know if I'm coming or going, what day of the week it is, and whether I brushed my teeth or not would be awesome. I'm not trying to complain, but just shed a little honesty here (while saying y'all multiple times...it comes with the Texas territory).

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

We didn't plan to nor budget for an extra four days in London at a hotel, but honestly, it was just what our family needed. We figured our Tuesday flight was cancelled since it was the day after Hurricane Sandy. We had no idea the earliest we could leave would be four days later. It was a blessing in disguise that totally re-energized us for the next leg of our travels, but perhaps there are recognizable signs you've stayed in a hotel too long when...

1. You no longer have to give your name and room number when entering the VIP lounge.

2. You know the best restaurant to eat at in the hotel.

3. They give you free washing powder to wash your clothes. (Who does laundry in a hotel??)

4. You start going to the pool fully dressed and change in the changing room while easily recognizing the Americans who walk in already in their bathing suit. Gah! Don't they know that's like soooo improper? :)

5. You don't walk outside for 96 hours simply because there's nowhere in the hotel's vicinity to go.

Friday, November 9, 2012

Quite frankly, I thought this would come easy with my kids. We’ve lived in Africa. They’ve played with orphans. They’ve handed a plate of food to a hungry child. They’ve seen with their own eyes dilapidated shacks. My assumption was a grave misunderstanding of the working of a child’s mind, and it wasn’t fair for me to put that on them.

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Three years ago from tomorrow we left S. Africa for a sabbatical. I can’t believe that was three years ago. It feels like yesterday. What’s even harder to believe is that we are back in the same role that we left. This time, though, it has a different definition because we’re different people, and that’s the key.

Part of me has to LOL (for the longest, I thought that meant lots of love...makes you want to LAUGH OUT LOUD, doesn’t it??) that it took us three years to do a 360. But if there’s one thing that I’ve learned over that three year period, it’s that God is more concerned with the process than the destination. I’ve also learned that He’s not as concerned about time as I am.

“But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you...” 2 Peter 3:8, 9

Had it not been for that three year process, we couldn’t have done a 360. Had it not been for that time of rest from ministry, of stepping away and discovering the depths of who God made us to be, we wouldn’t have had the capacity for a 360.

God is good. I’m always amazed, as I open my heart to Him, how He works in my life, tearing down the fear and insecurity to confidently walk in who I really am.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

I’ll be honest. I didn’t know about this month’s color your world. Brown? How was I going to highlight that color in a photo and make it look all pretty? During our travels in England and Ireland, I had brown in mind. I was honestly amazed at the creativity I found in this color that I thought would be dull to capture.

When we stayed in the South of England at Holmsted Manor, there were plenty of browns in that manor that were worth capturing. The woodwork was amazing. This shot of Emma G was taken in the “Leather Room.” Aren’t those walls amazing? That is leather and it’s really, really old and really, really cool.

Moving right along to Ireland. How do you like that brown door? That's at Trinity College. That campus was amazing.

While spending the day in Kilkenny, I spotted this very interesting tree. Isn't that wood pattern fabulous? Such interesting textures and shapes in there.

And finally, have you ever heard of a flat white? I was introduced to them my second week in England and ordered one every chance I got. It felt the way it was described to me...strong coffee with silky milk on top. Costa Coffee makes it even better with their pretty coffee art.

Wow! Can't believe all those browns! Now it's your turn to show off your brown!

So here's the lowdown...

1. November's color is BROWN!2. Take BROWN. Interpret it how you want using whatever medium you want.3. Write a blog post about it.4. Grab the Color Your World button to display on your blog or blog post linking back to the linky.

5. Link up your blog post (not your blog). Link will stay open through the next color challenge, December 5th at 11:59 pm CST.

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Fall is a super popular time for family portraits. The weather is beautiful, and it’s just in time for Christmas cards!

I will be back in the Dallas area mid November, and I’m ready to start booking sessions starting November 17th!

Now I realize that some of you have already thought ahead and scheduled your portraits (or already had them done). However, every once in a while procrastination pays off, because I have a deal for you! Sessions booked by November 13th will receive 10% off! (Note: This does not apply to Senior portraits.)

Portrait Packages

Family Portraits ~ $200

Includes session, around 25 photos delivered via an online downloadable album, and an 8X10 of your choosing.

Senior Portraits ~ $150

Includes session, around 15 photos delivered via an online downloadable album, and an 8X10 of your choosing.

I will guarantee a 48 hour turnaround for family portraits so you can have them in time for Christmas.

Monday, November 5, 2012

What was supposed to be our last few days in England was spent in the Birmingham area, in the North. We fed the ducks, played indoor mini golf, and spent a day checking out Birmingham.

Did you know Birmingham has more canals than Venice?? Although, I’m told they’re more beautiful in Venice.

The city center was bustling with activity including auditions for Britain’s Got Talent!

Yay for another family photo and for kids being silly with the statues!

Thank you, Leon and Allison, for an incredible time! We were so blessed by the late night chats, the laughs, and talking about all the biggest things in America! The canal is yours, everything else is ours. Ha! (Inside joke here. Smile.)

About Me

Jen Price

Knitting, photography, sewing, anything crafty, and all things handmade are at the top of my hobby list. I have 2 beautiful children and one wonderful, smoking hot husband. We founded Ten Thousand Homes, whose goal is to provide HOPE and HOME for Africa's orphans, in 2006. I now work as Communications Director for TTH, telling the stories and creating awareness of the millions of children without parents.